Fifty-Eight

B

Rebar is only open for a couple weeks leading up to Christmas. Edward willingly agrees to close for the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth. Everyone deserves the days off to celebrate the holidays, and barflies can find somewhere else to drink their sorrows away.

Ben and I work diligently on planning a Christmas-theme night, and as usual, it's a huge hit. Ben, of course, dresses up like Santa, and I think he spends more time taking pictures with patrons than he does slinging drinks.

Edward surprises me by dressing up like the Grinch, so Angela, Lauren, and I go as Whos. My only complaint being the adhesive holding my pointy nose in place irritates my skin, and by the end of the night, my face is covered in an angry rash.

Okay, the fact that it took an entire can of extra hold hairspray to keep my hairstyle in place is another complaint. I end up having to go to a salon for a professional conditioning treatment and a much-needed trim.

All in all, the night is a success, and we end up with two car loads of donated gifts for the Toys for Tots program.

I mainly work nights but sneak in to visit my favorite customers the afternoon before Christmas Eve.

Harry and Waylon, as always, are happy to see me and try to protest when I hand them two gift bags, but I persist. "Santa came early for you gentlemen."

Beside me, Edward nods. "My girl went through the trouble to get you yahoos a little something, so be grateful. I was just going to give you the usual free beer and a shot of Jameson."

Waylon starts to say something, but Edward cuts him off. "The gifts are from Bella. You'll still get your drinks."

"Atta boy."

The guys appreciate the boxes of homemade treats I've been making in my down time. I'm no Rosalie Hale, but my treats are decent, and back in high school, I collected my share of ribbons. I added a shirt with the Rebar logo and a couple of Cuban cigars because I know they like to sneak one every now and again.

They give me warm hugs and congratulate me on our engagement and apologize for not getting me anything, but I wave it off.

"That's not the point of Christmas. Be safe and enjoy your holiday, guys."

Edward is waiting at the other end of the bar with lunch.

"Are you all packed up and ready to go?" he asks and slides his pickle onto my plate.

"Yup. Are you sure you're okay with my parents hijacking our plans?"

We were originally going to spend our first Christmas together, just the two of us here in Seattle. I mean, we decorated and went to the Christmas tree farm to pick out the perfect tree and everything. I kind of feel like all our hard work is going to waste.

Our plans changed at the last minute when Dad called to tell me Mom broke her ankle. She's fine, but I still worry. She was high on narcotics and had burst into tears over the fact that it would be the first time we've spent Christmas separately.

Edward swooped in before the guilt could set in. Instead of staying in Seattle, we're going to drive out to Forks tonight after we close and spend the holiday with my parents.

Edward wipes his mouth and grins. "Baby, I don't care where we are or who we're with. As long as I get to spend your favorite day with you, I'm happy."

I kiss him softly, and he pulls back with a groan.

"Besides, Renee was telling me about some of your family traditions, and I am all for joining."

My heart swells and my cheeks flush. "You're really up for matching pajamas, painting your own Christmas mug, and the pickle game?"

"Yes to the first two, but you're going to have to explain that third one."

I gather my trash and stand, acting nonchalant. "Once everyone's in bed and before Santa arrives, you have to figure out how you're going to hide your pickle before the clock strikes midnight. I'm sure you can figure it out."

Edward sits back and scratches the scruff on his cheek, blinking slowly.

"You okay there, babe?"

He looks around and leans in close with hooded eyes and wet lips. "Bella, are you referring to my dick as a pickle?"

I blink innocently. "No. I would never."

His eyes darken, and he leans in closer until our noses are touching. "I'm calling bullshit."

I give up the charade with a laugh and explain that it's just a fake pickle ornament that Dad will hide somewhere in the tree. On Christmas morning, the first person to find the pickle gets to open the first present.

Edward frowns.

"What?"

"That sounds incredibly boring compared to your first explanation." He pops a kiss on my nose and pulls away. "I say we start one of our own traditions. Maybe with our own pickle game."

"Hmm. Sounds fun. I better get going if I'm going to meet the girls before my shift starts."

Edward hands me his credit card, and I raise a brow.

"I know we went in together on gifts, but I thought I'd pay for you ladies to get your toes done. Consider it a stocking stuffer."

I roll my eyes and kiss him goodbye before rushing to the salon.

Alice and Rose are already sitting in their massage chairs and wave off my apology for being late. I climb onto my chair and hand my tech the bottle of polish I bought at a beauty supply store while I was Christmas shopping for the girls. It's blue and glittery, and I know Edward is going to like it.

While we get pampered, we talk plans.

Alice and Jasper are headed south tomorrow to spend time with his family. She doesn't talk about her mom often and doesn't bring her up. They won't be back in town until after the new year, and Alice is bummed that she's going to miss the blow out Ben and I are putting together.

Rose and Emmett had the same idea as Edward and me, only they get to actually stay holed up in their apartment. Lucky fucks.

"So, are you planning something big for Edward?" Rose asks.

"No. I got him a couple pairs of jeans, some boxers, and socks."

Both Rose and Alice just stare at me blankly until I ask them to stop because it's starting to get creepy.

"I dunno, girl." Alice sighs. "The two of you always do something grand on special occasions. You moved in on his birthday. You both proposed on your birthday."

"We just thought you'd be planning something special for your first Christmas together," Rose adds.

I dial back on the vibrating setting on my chair. "I think we've had enough excitement for now. We agreed to keep things low key."

Alice giggles. "If I know Edward Cullen, he's going to do something memorable. It's just his nature."

I don't let her words get to me. Edward and I agreed that we weren't going to go crazy, and I have to trust that he'll keep his promise.

Our relaxing day date ends all too soon, and I'm in a rush getting to Rebar on time for my shift. Stupid me forgot my work boots and had to run home. That ends up being a blessing in disguise because I go ahead and load our bags and presents in the car so we don't have to come home after we close.

Rebar is surprisingly dead when I arrive. Ben's sitting at the bar with his tablet, going over our plans for New Year's Eve, and Edward is wiping down the taps.

He smiles big and tosses the towel over his shoulder. "Hey, baby. Did you have fun with the girls?"

I reach in my pocket and hand him his card. "Up until it was time to pay, but they both said thank you."

Edward just smiles and pockets his card. "I don't think tonight is going to be very busy."

"It is the night before Christmas Eve. People are either out scrambling for last minute necessities or spending time with their families."

"If you guys wanna go and head out, I'm sure the girls and I can take care of things," Ben offers without looking up from his work.

Edward and I share a look, and I shrug, letting him know I'm okay with whatever he decides.

"We'll stick around for a little while. If it stays like this, we're going to call it a night."

The next hour goes by, and we get less than a handful of customers. Edward has Ben update the social media accounts to let everyone know we'll see them in a few days and to have a safe and happy Christmas.

Before we leave, we exchange our secret Santa gifts. I got Lauren a gift certificate to the salon the girls and I frequent, as well as a bottle of perfume Angela told me she enjoys.

I'm surprised when Ben hands me a box.

"You sneak. I didn't know you got me." I laugh.

"You know how well I can keep a secret." He winks. "Anyway, Seth and I were out, and this caught my eye when we walked by. I thought it would be perfect for New Year's."

Like a little kid, I rip through the fancy wrapping paper and let out a squeal when I lift the lid. "Oh, my gosh, Ben. This is perfect!" I drop the confetti-covered dress and throw my arms around him. "Thank you!"

Edward, curious at the amount of excitement I have over my present, comes over and tries to see inside, but Ben snaps it shut.

"Not so fast, lover boy. It's a surprise." He places the box under his arm. "I'll take this home with me for safekeeping."

We say our goodbyes and lock up behind everyone.

Traffic is atrocious at this time of day, so we don't make it to Forks until nightfall. My parents are already in bed, so Edward and I grab a snack of cheese and crackers and sneak up to my room.

We take turns in the bathroom going through our night-time routines and fall into bed.

"Tired, baby?" he asks softly.

"Not really. You?"

Edward shakes his head and gives me a smoldering look.

"What?"

His grin just grows. "I think we should practice hiding my pickle."

With a soft laugh, I carefully move to straddle him. "Practice does make perfect."